The certification does not necessarily mean the council approves of the conversion, only that the plan meets the minimum requirements of state law, according to city special counsel Celeste Brady.

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As Costa Mesa does not have its own ordinances regarding mobile home conversion, the city must rely on the state statutes, which are minimal, and somewhat vague and ambiguous, Brady said.

The park's residents, some of whom have lived there more than 20 years, gave almost an hour of testimony during the meeting while IntraCorp representatives and its advisory counsel, Carlsbad-based Loftin Firm, discussed the proposal for another hour and a half.

Residents described themselves as homeowners, just like everyone else. Several said they understood the park wouldn't be there forever and just wanted due compensation, but others expressed frustration and confusion over the conversion process — a sentiment with which the council seemed to sympathize.

After hearing the testimony, Councilwoman Sandy Genis said she felt the park's current owner misled residents who recently moved in.

Those new residents, she asserted, were "led down the primrose path" because they are not eligible for as many relocation benefits as those who have lived in the park at least nine months.